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There's a touch of Christmas in All Things Considered this week when there's another chance to hear a programme, originally broadcast in December last year, which recently won an Order of Merit at the prestigious Sandford St. Martin Trust Awards at Lambeth Palace.

The Bush, Abertillery, was once the town's top hotel, but for the past twenty years has been a key home in the work of Victory Outreach UK, helping recovering alcoholics, drug addicts and ex offenders.

The charity was founded 25 years ago by Dinah and David Sansome, who had become convinced it was needed after years of trying to help homeless young people on the streets of London. It now has six homes, with about fifty residents between them at any one time. It has given hope to literally thousands of young people from all over the United Kingdom, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, has been its supportive and active patron since his days as Bishop of Monmouth. Dinah Sansome recently handed on the directorship to Richard Taylor, himself a former drug addict and convicted criminal.

Roy Jenkins spent a day at The Bush with its residents and staff to gain insight into how Victory Outreach UK operates, the challenges it faces and how the work fits in with the story of Christmas.

This edition broadcast Sunday, 6th June, 0830 hrs. / repeated Thursday, 10th June, 0532 hrs.

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